The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
Melvyn Bragg, accompanied by a vintage mobile cinema, travels across the country, to show incredible footage preserved by the British Film Institute and other national and regional film archives, to tell the history of modern Britain.
At the Queen's Lancashire Regiment Museum and Barracks in Preston, Melvyn looks back to the First World War, when British men answered the call to fight for king and country. Rita Humphrey shares the remarkable story of her uncle, Walter Tull, who overcame great prejudice to become the first black officer in the British Army. Richard Bell talks about his great-uncle Donald who received the highest award for valour during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. And Accrington man Les Bond gives his verdict on the sacrifice made by the men of his home town's pals battalion, including his uncle Harry, who died at the Battle of the Somme.
Classicist Dr Michael Scott examines the vital role played by the Romans in the preservation of Greek drama and in the history of theatre. He explores how the Romans absorbed Greek theatre and adapted it to their own, very Roman, ends and looks at how this famous empire provides one of the crucial connections between our modern drama and the great plays of the ancient Greeks.
Dr Michael Mosley explores the bizarre and fascinating world of parasites by turning his body into a living laboratory and deliberately infesting himself with them. He travels to Kenya to give himself a tapeworm - a parasite that can grow to many metres inside the human gut. He also encounters lice, leeches and the deadly malaria parasite, before swallowing a pill-camera to reveal what is growing within him. By the end of his infestation Michael learns a new-found respect for these extraordinary creatures, which can live off and even take control of their hosts for their own survival.
Leslie wants to bury a time capsule that encapsulates life in Pawnee, but an odd suggestion from a local man causes unforeseen consequences. Andy seeks help from Chris about how to win back April.
Tom tries to get back at Ron by going out on a date with Ron's ex-wife Tammy, while Leslie tries to protect Ron from falling prey to her charms. Meanwhile, April is assigned to work with Chris.
Michael Grade goes on the trail of the world's oldest joke as he sets out to discover whether jokes come and go with the passing of time or whether we are still laughing at the same things our ancestors did.
THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2014
THU 19:00 World News Today (b03vpvvv)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
THU 19:30 Top of the Pops (b03w0gl0)
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Dooleys, Generation X, Alan Price, the Pretenders, Lene Lovich, the Skids and Blondie. With dance sequences by Legs & Co.
THU 20:00 Ever Decreasing Circles (b007bn62)
Series 2
The Cricket Match
Sitcom about domestic disharmony in suburbia. Martin's not happy when Paul asks if he can join him in the local cricket team.
THU 20:30 Britain on Film (b01qnnqp)
Series 1
Country Living
The series looking at the culture, economics and society of 1960s Britain turns its attention to one of our great national treasures - the countryside. Drawing on the archive of high-quality colour films produced by the country's biggest cinema company, the Rank Organisation, this film shows how new technologies and production methods were changing the face of agriculture and records how country life was adapting to the new economic and moral realities of a fast-changing nation.
THU 21:00 The Brits Who Built the Modern World (b03vgz8d)
The Power of the Past
How an exceptional generation of British architects, led by Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, conquered the globe with their high-tech vision.
This episode focuses on the 1980s, when modern architecture was deeply unpopular and under attack from the Prince of Wales. The architects reveal the dramatic stories behind some of their most famous creations, including Rogers's Lloyd's of London building and Foster's Stansted Airport.
Terry Farrell reveals how he was kept in the dark when he was designing the MI6 Headquarters, Michael Hopkins recalls the challenges of bringing ultra-modern architecture into the traditional world of Lord's Cricket Ground, and Nicholas Grimshaw follows in the footsteps of the great Victorian engineers with his Waterloo International station.
THU 22:00 The Man Who Fought the Planners: The Story of Ian Nairn (b03vrz4h)
These days, opinionated journalists are two a penny. But back in the 1950s, Ian Nairn was part of a new breed of Angry Young Men. Aged just 25 and fresh out of the RAF, he burst onto the architectural scene with Outrage, a blistering attack on the soulless destruction of Britain by shoddy post-war planners. Published in the influential Architectural Review in June 1955, it led to the formation of the Civic Trust, whose remit was to tackle the 'subtopian' eyesores Nairn had so graphically exposed.
Over the next two decades, Nairn became a tireless and passionate campaigner, both in print and on the BBC, inspiring a whole generation to take up arms against the second-rate in our towns and cities. But he himself was a deeply flawed and troubled character, who slowly drank himself to death, feeling the battle to save Britain's soul had been lost. Close colleagues and admirers, including Jonathan Meades, Gillian Darley and Jonathan Glancey, pay tribute to a remarkable man who made us look afresh at the world around us.
THU 23:00 Dissected (p01mv2md)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
THU 00:00 Brian Pern (b03vrsfr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 on Monday]
THU 00:30 Top of the Pops (b03w0gl0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:30 today]
THU 01:05 Dreaming the Impossible: Unbuilt Britain (b038rj1b)
Making Connections
Using her skills to uncover long-forgotten and abandoned plans, architectural investigator Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner explores the fascinating and dramatic stories behind some of the grandest designs that were never built. In this episode she looks at two of the most radical civil engineering projects proposed in the last century and explores how international politics and vested interests both drove, and derailed, plans to better connect Britain to the continent.
In the early 1900s Britain was anticipating the threat of war. As concern grew about Germany expanding its naval fleet and investing in its infrastructure, there were calls to find a way for Britain's navy to be able to react swiftly to protect our waters. The solution proposed was to create a ship canal big enough for warships to cross from the Firth of Clyde on the west of Scotland to the Firth of Forth on the east. This enormous civil engineering endeavour would have completely changed the central belt of Scotland - the favoured route was through Loch Lomond, now considered one of the most treasured wilderness areas in the country.
There was huge support for the building of the canal, not least from members of parliament who recognised the potential for creating jobs and wealth in their constituencies. The debate over whether to invest £50m of the public purse in building the canal dragged on for years in both the House of Commons and Lords, with opinion split on whether it really was a strategic imperative. In the end, technology decided the fate of the canal. By 1918, all of the naval fleet was fuelled by oil rather than coal and so instead of a canal an oil pipeline was built from the mouth of the Clyde to Grangemouth on the east, and Royal Navy destroyers never did - and never will - sail up Loch Lomond.
Fifty years later, instead of seeking to protect Britain from attacks from the continent, thoughts had turned to how to connect our island to the rest of Europe. There had been talk of building a channel tunnel between England and France for centuries. In contrast with the Mid-Scotland Canal, where strategic advantages stimulated building, it was national security concerns that cut short the first proposal for a Channel Tunnel. The idea was presented to the British by Napoleon in 1802, but was rejected over concerns that the French had covert plans to invade England.
But 170 years later, the idea was to become a reality. Britain had finally joined mainland Europe through her membership of the Common Market in 1973, and both the French and British governments agreed it made sense build a tunnel together. But in 1975, construction was again abandoned because the British prime minister, Harold Wilson, had to look for economies in a financial crisis caused by dramatically rising world oil prices. Once more, the bid to connect with the continent had failed.
The idea was resurrected yet again in the early 1980s, with several competing schemes for consideration. The boldest of these, sponsored by British Steel, was a vast structure combing a double-decker bridge and tunnel, linked to an artificial island in the middle of the English Channel. The materials for the construction of this vast project would keep the steel mills of England and Scotland busy for a decade - but the politicians chose in favour of the Eurotunnel bid and British industry lost out.
Both these grandiose schemes defined how Britain saw its relationship with Europe. In an age when the headline 'Fog in Channel - Europe Isolated' made sense, a naval ship canal that would protect our island fortress from continental rivals was considered to be in the national interest. But just 60 years later, the fog had lifted and securing Britain's national interests became dependent on a physical connection with countries previously regarded as hostile. However, both plans foundered on the conflict of politics and vested interest.
THU 02:05 Ever Decreasing Circles (b007bn62)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 today]
THU 02:35 The Brits Who Built the Modern World (b03vgz8d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2014
FRI 19:00 World News Today (b03vpvw2)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
FRI 19:30 Transatlantic Sessions (b03c7lcq)
Series 6
Episode 3
Music co-directors, Shetland fiddle virtuoso Aly Bain, dobro ace Jerry Douglas and their all-star house band, host a gathering of the cream of Nashville, Irish and Scottish talent in a spectacular new location overlooking the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
In this episode look out for the deftly delicate guitar of Russ Barenberg, one of the Sessions' 'founding fathers', and John McCusker's rollicking fiddle.
FRI 20:00 Sound of Cinema: The Music That Made the Movies (b03bm2fy)
New Frontiers
In the last of three programmes in which composer Neil Brand celebrates the art of cinema music, Neil explores how changing technology has taken soundtracks in bold new directions and even altered our very idea of how a film should sound.
Neil tells the story of how the 1956 science fiction film Forbidden Planet ended up with a groundbreaking electronic score that blurred the line between music and sound effects, and explains why Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds has one of the most effective soundtracks of any of his films - despite having no music. He shows how electronic music crossed over from pop into cinema with Midnight Express and Chariots of Fire, while films like Apocalypse Now pioneered the concept of sound design - that sound effects could be used for storytelling and emotional impact.
Neil tracks down some of the key composers behind these innovations to talk about their work, such as Vangelis (Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner), Carter Burwell (Twilight, No Country for Old Men) and Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream, Moon).
FRI 21:00 BB King: The Life of Riley (b03vsp7r)
BB King opens his heart and tells the story of how an oppressed and orphaned young man came to influence and earn the unmitigated praise of the music industry and its following to carry the title of king of the blues.
Filmed on location all over America, as well as in the UK, this picture brings to life the heat- and gin-soaked plantations where it all began, with full cooperation of the BB King museum, owners of vaults and archives so precious and immense that several trips had to be made to revisit the collection and partake of its many gems. Prejudice and segregation has stained the lives of countless black persons and BB 'Riley' King made sure that through his music, he never allowed it to mar his spirit.
This is the essence of the story that makes a beautiful film, both informative and visually captivating.
FRI 22:35 Blues at the BBC (b00k36m5)
Collection of performances by British and American blues artists on BBC programmes such as The Beat Room, A Whole Scene Going, The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Late Show.
Includes the seminal slide guitar of Son House, the British R&B of The Kinks, the unmistakeable electric sound of BB King and Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker, as well as less familiar material from the likes of Delaney and Bonnie, Freddie King and Long John Baldry.
FRI 23:35 Blues America (p01kc7bh)
Woke up This Morning
Blues is usually described as the sound of racial suffering and feeling sad, but this documentary argues that the blues began as a form of black pop music. First appearing in the southern states of the USA around 1900, blues created by the poorest people in the richest nation on earth took America by storm. The film looks at the early years of the blues to discover how Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Charlie Patton used the latest media to bring their music to the public. With contributions from Keith Richards, Taj Mahal and Chuck D.
FRI 00:35 Blues America (b03kk1j7)
Bright Lights, Big City
After 1945, artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker rooted the blues firmly in the city, where it contributed to the musical desegregation of America by spawning rock 'n' roll. As the blues conquered the world and the music moved from black to white audiences, arguments developed about what was the real authentic blues. Robert Johnson returned from the dead to sell more records than any other blues artist. By the 21st century, the blues not only retained the earthiness of its roots but was also being celebrated in the White House. With contributions from Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Seasick Steve and Buddy Guy.
FRI 01:40 BB King: The Life of Riley (b03vsp7r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
FRI 03:15 Sounds of the 70s 2 (b01h7pzm)
Troubadours – Peaceful Easy Feeling
In the early 70s as the UK got to grips with the new coinage and decimalisation and braced itself for strike after strike, a group of young troubadours were hanging out in Laurel Canyon and the environs of California USA having a ball and creating music that would define a generation. It's time to kick back and relax and enjoy performances from Crosby and Nash, Neil Young, America, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, The Eagles, and Seals and Crofts.
LIST OF THIS WEEK'S PROGRAMMES
(Note: the times link back to the details; the pids link to the BBC page, including iPlayer)
Amazon Abyss
20:00 MON (b00hh4ws)
Amazon Abyss
01:50 MON (b00hh4ws)
Amazon Abyss
22:45 WED (b00hh4ws)
Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth
20:00 WED (b039vj0v)
Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth
01:40 WED (b039vj0v)
BB King: The Life of Riley
21:00 FRI (b03vsp7r)
BB King: The Life of Riley
01:40 FRI (b03vsp7r)
Blink: A Horizon Guide to the Senses
22:00 TUE (b01kptcr)
Blues America
23:35 FRI (p01kc7bh)
Blues America
00:35 FRI (b03kk1j7)
Blues at the BBC
22:35 FRI (b00k36m5)
Brian Pern
22:00 MON (b03vrsfr)
Brian Pern
00:50 MON (b03vrsfr)
Brian Pern
00:00 THU (b03vrsfr)
Britain on Film
20:30 THU (b01qnnqp)
Bunkers, Brutalism and Bloodymindedness: Concrete Poetry with Jonathan Meades
21:00 SUN (b03vrphc)
Bunkers, Brutalism and Bloodymindedness: Concrete Poetry with Jonathan Meades
00:40 WED (b03vrphc)
Dissected
21:00 TUE (p01mv2md)
Dissected
03:00 TUE (p01mv2md)
Dissected
23:00 THU (p01mv2md)
Dreaming the Impossible: Unbuilt Britain
01:05 THU (b038rj1b)
Ever Decreasing Circles
20:00 THU (b007bn62)
Ever Decreasing Circles
02:05 THU (b007bn62)
Francesco's Italy: Top to Toe
19:00 SUN (b007920b)
Francesco's Italy: Top to Toe
02:20 SUN (b007920b)
Free Men
22:00 SUN (b01m5d3d)
Infested! Living with Parasites
21:00 WED (b03vrwj8)
Infested! Living with Parasites
02:40 WED (b03vrwj8)
Kings of Rock and Roll
01:20 SUN (b007c95q)
Lost Kingdoms of South America
20:00 SAT (b01pwtqy)
Lost Kingdoms of South America
02:40 SAT (b01pwtqy)
Lost Kingdoms of South America
00:00 TUE (b01pwtqy)
Michael Grade and the World's Oldest Joke
23:40 WED (b01r3njz)
Neil Sedaka Says: All You Need Is the Music
00:35 SUN (b00pwstt)
Neil Sedaka: King of Song
23:35 SUN (b03v2yxt)
Parks and Recreation
22:00 WED (b03w0gk1)
Parks and Recreation
22:20 WED (b03w0gk3)
Queens of Disco
00:10 SAT (b0074thh)
Reel History of Britain
19:30 MON (p00jtm6v)
Reel History of Britain
19:30 TUE (p00jtmff)
Reel History of Britain
19:30 WED (p00jv6tt)
Salamander
21:00 SAT (b01pyjxw)
Salamander
21:50 SAT (b01q6gjp)
Secrets of Bones
20:30 TUE (b03vrtzp)
Secrets of Bones
02:30 TUE (b03vrtzp)
Sound of Cinema: The Music That Made the Movies
20:00 FRI (b03bm2fy)
Sounds of the 70s 2
01:20 MON (b01gymg9)
Sounds of the 70s 2
03:15 FRI (b01h7pzm)
Storyville
22:30 MON (b03vrsft)
TOTP2
22:40 SAT (b007v15w)
The Brits Who Built the Modern World
23:50 MON (b03vrz4f)
The Brits Who Built the Modern World
21:00 THU (b03vgz8d)
The Brits Who Built the Modern World
02:35 THU (b03vgz8d)
The Man Who Fought the Planners: The Story of Ian Nairn
22:00 THU (b03vrz4h)
The Sky at Night
01:10 SAT (b03vg99x)
The World's Most Beautiful Eggs: The Genius of Carl Faberge
20:00 SUN (b0336tf3)
The World's Most Beautiful Eggs: The Genius of Carl Faberge
01:00 TUE (b0336tf3)
Top of the Pops
21:00 MON (b03mpphw)
Top of the Pops
02:50 MON (b03mpphw)
Top of the Pops
19:30 THU (b03w0gl0)
Top of the Pops
00:30 THU (b03w0gl0)
Transatlantic Sessions
19:30 FRI (b03c7lcq)
Weird Nature
20:00 TUE (b0078h4b)
Weird Nature
02:00 TUE (b0078h4b)
Wild China
19:00 SAT (b00c5n6g)
Wild China
01:40 SAT (b00c5n6g)
Wild China
23:00 TUE (b00c5n6g)
World News Today
19:00 MON (b03vpvvc)
World News Today
19:00 TUE (b03vpvvj)
World News Today
19:00 WED (b03vpvvp)
World News Today
19:00 THU (b03vpvvv)
World News Today
19:00 FRI (b03vpvw2)